About

Impact

In the spring of 2019, we graduated our first class of 109 students. All students are entering either college or the military. One-third of the students are continuing their education at the University of Texas at Arlington. We also have students attending The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Carnegie Mellon, Notre Dame, University of Texas, Texas A&M and many others. Students earned $4.75 million in scholarships, 861 hours at UTA with a class GPA of 3.48. The STEM Academy offers all three Project Lead the Way pathways of Biomedical Science, Engineering, and Computer Science. We have students in both engineering and biomedical internships. Several students have participated in college research opportunities with UTA. We also have many students participating in STEM-related clubs and organizations – Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), robotics, Solar Car Challenge, autonomous vehicle, and roboboat.

To date, we have just over 500 students enrolled in the Academy. We expanded the program this year from admitting 125 to 170 freshmen. This year we added the Project Lead the Way computer science curriculum to our program. We have 79 juniors and seniors attending dual credit classes at UTA. We are excited about continuing to grow and to add opportunities for our students.

UT Arlington - Partner in Education

The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing research powerhouse committed to life-enhancing discovery, innovative instruction, and caring community engagement. An educational leader in the heart of thriving North Texas region, UT Arlington nurtures minds within an environment that values excellence, ingenuity, and diversity.

Juniors and seniors can take a variety of courses at UTA including the ones listed below.

  • Intermediate Programming
  • Calculus II
  • Calculus III
  • Intro to Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Psychology
  • Biology

Creating Pathways to Student Success - Article on UT Arlington Website regarding STEM Academy

Career and Technical Center

The Dan Dipert CTC Center allows Juniors and Seniors to

Juniors and seniors can take a variety of courses at UTA including the ones listed below.

  • Health and Theory Lab
  • Horticulture Science
  • Marine Biology
  • Architecture
  • Animation I and II
  • Audio/Video Production
  • Graphic Design and Illustration
  • Video Game Design

Admissions

Academy Information

STEM Academy Information Presentation 2019

Admissions Process

The STEM Academy Application is available on this website or applicants may choose to complete the paper application (Spanish) that will be available from Martin High School or AISD Junior High School counseling offices. The STEM Academy application window for 2019-2020 is November 11, 2019 - January 30, 2020.

Online Application

Online applications must be completed by January 30, 2020. Students not currently enrolled in AISD that submit the application are required to mail an official 7th and 8th grades student transcript and a copy of their water bill to show residency. These documents must be postmarked on or before January 30, 2020 and mailed or delivered to the AISD STEM Academy at the address below.

For questions, please email Michele Davda at mdavda@aisd.net or Marianne Varner at mvarner@aisd.net or call (682) 867-8600

Requirements and Criteria for Admission

  • Current 8th grader
  • Semester average of 80 or better in all 7th & 8th grade core classes
  • Successful completion of Pre-AP Algebra I prior to the start of school
Steps to Admission to the AISD STEM Academy
STEM Academy Informational Meetings Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. or Tuesday, January 21, 2020 at 6:30, Martin High School Auditorium

(You only need attend one meeting. Attendance is NOT mandatory at either session.)

STEM Academy Application Submissions Application window opens November 11, 2019 and applications due by January 30, 2020
STEM Academy Interview Notifications Mid to Late February – all applicants will be notified by email
STEM Academy Interviews February 24 & 25, 2020
STEM Academy Admission Notifications March 21, 2020 - letters will be emailed to all students who completed the STEM Academy interview process
STEM Academy Summer Bridge Camp TBD - 1 week during July/August 2020 (8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

Attendance is expected

Pathways

Along with core classes, electives are offered for each pathway. This allows students to learn more about their field of interest.

For every pathway in the AISD STEM Academy, students are required to complete at least five math credits prior to graduation. Incoming 9th graders who did not complete Pre-AP Algebra I will be required to double block math (take two math courses in one year) to fulfill this requirement. STEM Academy students are required to complete at least four science credits prior to graduation.

The Biomedical Science and Biology Pathway in the AISD STEM Academy utilizes the nationally recognized Project Lead the Way curriculum. The rigorous and relevant PLTW Biomedical Science sequence allows students to investigate the roles of biomedical professionals as they study the concepts of human medicine, physiology, genetics, microbiology, and public health. Students engage in activities like investigating the death of a fictional person to learn content in the context of real-world cases.

Courses:

  • Principles of Biomedical Science
  • Human Body Systems
  • Medical Intervention
  • Biomedical Intervention
  • Medical Terminology
  • Principles of Health Science
  • Health Science Theory and Lab
  • Medical Microbiology
  • Pathophysiology
  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • AP Biology
  • Health Science Practicum
Technology, while not a discipline in the strictest sense, comprises the entire system of people and organizations, knowledge, processes, and devices that go into creating and operating technological artifacts, as well as the artifacts themselves. Throughout history, humans have created technology to satisfy their wants and needs. Much of modern technology is a product of science and engineering, and technological tools are used in both fields. he AISD STEM Academy Technology and Computer Science Pathway is designed to build student interest and engagement in computer science, and prepare Academy students for great career opportunities that require computational thinking.

Courses:

  • Pre-AP Computer Science
  • AP Computer Science
  • Advanced Computer Science III (Data Structures)
  • Independent Study in Emerging Technology
  • STEM Internship
The Engineering Pathway in the AISD STEM Academy utilizes the nationally recognized Project Lead the Way curriculum. PLTW Engineering is more than just another high school engineering program. It is about applying engineering, science, math, and technology to solve complex, open-ended problems in a real-world context. Students focus on the process of defining and solving a problem, not on getting the "right" answer.

Courses:

  • Introduction to Engineering Design
  • Principles of Engineering
  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Digital Electronics
  • Engineering Design and Development
  • STEM Internship
The AISD STEM Academy Science/Math Pathway provides for an in-depth progression of courses in both of these areas of academic study. Careers in math focus on the tools, methods, and approaches that facilitate the practice or the study of mathematics. Objectives in the STEM Academy math instruction include the teaching of basic number skills, the teaching of practical mathematics and abstract mathematical concepts, and the teaching of advanced mathematics to those students who wish to follow a career in the mathematics field. Science is the pursuit of knowledge, and the STEM Academy instruction in this field is primarily concerned with sharing science content and processes. Science education includes available content in the fields of physical, life, earth, and space sciences.

Science Courses:

  • Advanced Biology
  • Advanced Chemistry
  • AP Chemistry
  • AP Physics I, II, III, IV
  • AP Biology

Math Courses:

  • Advanced Geometry
  • Advanced Algebra I and II
  • Advanced PreCalculus
  • AP Calculus AB and BC
  • AP Statistics

Teachers

Mr. Hovey

I teach a variety of computer science courses including AP Computer Science I, Data Structures, Cybersecurity, and a competitions class. The best part of the STEM Academy is the relationships you develop with your peer STEM students and the teachers. Not only will you be educated, but you will have shared experiences and develop some life long relationships that will help you both in college and your career to follow.

Mr. Ogg

I teach Principles of Engineering and Geometry to students of the STEM Academy. STEM provides rigorous content to students who are up to the challenge. In addition to this, the pursuit of specialized pathways allows students to experiment with different STEM fields before they commit to one in their post-secondary education, saving them both time and money.

Mrs. Varner

My role is that of STEM Coordinator. I help to run the entire program at Martin. I am involved with students, teachers and adminstrators. I actually work as a teacher and an administrator. Our first large population of STEM workers is retiring. These are individuals who became involved through the space race and the beginnings of the computer era. We are needing to replace these individuals to maintain a competitive and cutting edge place in the world. We can make a difference in the world through STEM

Ms. Helgren

I teach Advanced Algebra II and Advanced Calculus AB. The STEM education is important because it allows the students to focus on their strength (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) while finding their​passion. Ideally, the students graduate high school knowing what they are good at and what they are passionate about. The STEM Academy helps our students to future develop their technical and interpersonal skills. I have no doubt that most of our STEM Academy students will go on to see success in college and their career to follow.

Ms. Henson

I teach Animation at Martin. The community that the STEM program has created is something to be coveted. Students who struggle together and work together towards a common goal are far more likely to be successful in their future endeavors.

Ms. Berry

I teach Advanced and AP Chemistry. The STEM Academy exposes the students to a wide variety of experiences they would not have if they were not a member of the STEM Academy. From trips to NASA, to guest speakers and opportunities to get involved with competitive academic and engineering teams...all of these opportunities were born from the creation of the STEM Academy. The STEM Academy also sets the student up for success with internship opportunities with major Fortune 500 companies. Not only do the students get paid, but they gain real life exposure to STEM related careers while being mentored within the corporate world.

Location

The AISD STEM Academy is located at Martin High School and is a cooperative effort of the Arlington Independent School District and The University of Texas at Arlington. Students will attend classes at Martin High School and will enjoy all the privileges and benefits of being a STEM Academy student along with the benefits and privileges of being a Martin High School student such as sports, fine arts, clubs, and organizations. Students enrolled in the STEM Academy will be automatically approved as transfers to Martin High School.